Real estate agent Joe Steele, who purchased the lot on Poplar Street last year, plans to sell the property to a private developer who will take over responsibility for building the homes. City Planner James Reitz said it is unknown who that homebuilder would be.

The commission tweaked certain conditions for the developer that would create space between units, separate the lot from surrounding housing developments, improve frontage, and lessen the burden on homeowners who would have maintained the streets themselves.

Matthew Newman, Steele’s representative, agreed with the changes on his client’s behalf.

Much of the discussion centered around whether to turn a proposed private street, Poplar Circle, into a public street. The city would then take responsibility for street in addition to utility maintenance. After talking with Public Works Director Rob Foster, Reitz said the commission should consider the change.

Planning Commission Chair Beck said street maintenance from the homeowners on this small lot could become “daunting,” as the prices of the homes increase over the next decade.

Commissioner Carl Miller pushed further and called for the city to eliminate the use of private streets in residential developments.

Beck recommended the applicant convert a recreational space next to Poplar Street into a lot for an additional two-story unit.

The commission also added a condition that would require a “good neighbor” fence around the lot except for where fences are already present.

It followed a city staff recommendation for more “architectural diversity,” stating that the eventual developer would have to incorporate a third house design for the proposed development.

Though no neighbors present opposed the development, some highlighted the need for a fence between the proposed development and their property. Darren Elliott and his wife, Angela, asked the commission to consider a fence to separate their home from the planned recreational area.

Daren asked the commission to consider removing a tree currently in a second recreational space that he says is old and leans over his property.

Beck asked city staff to reassess the tree's condition to determine whether the city should remove it.

“After 18 years of a nice open field, we're glad it's not some apartment complex,” Angela said.